Fence making machines



July 4, 1961 B. E. PORTER 2,990,857

FENCE MAKING MACHINES Filed nec. 14. 195e 2 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEYS July 4, 1961 B. E. PORTER 2,990,857

FENCE MAKING MACHINES Filed Dec. 14, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H i S33 5.8 l 130 Q ;54 25\ /23 Il I 2| AT TOR NEYS United States Patent O Michigan Filed Dec. 14, 1956, Ser. No. 628,284

11 Claims. (Cl. 140-25) This invention relates to fence making machines and more particularly to a machine for wiring generally semicylindrical pickets of irregular curvilinear surface configuration in side by side relation.

The invention contemplates the quantity production of fence sections having a rustic appearance for homeowners and others desiring functional yet decorative fencing for residential and commercial lawns and properties. Known machines fo-r making snow fences and the like are not suitable for forming fence sections wherein the pickets comprise halved cedar poles of irregular cross section from which the bark has been peeled or shaved. The instant invention contemplates an improved fence making machine which is particularly designed for weaving fence sections of a type wherein relatively heavy backer wires extending transversely across the ilat faces of the pickets at vertically spaced intervals are joined to the pickets by lighter wires which 'wrap around the curvilinear faces olf the pickets and are thence wound around the backer wires between the pickets.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design an improved machine for mechanically wiring gener-al ly semi-cylindrical pickets to a heavy backer wire in a thoroughly practical and efficient manner which permits the manufacture of fence sections of the character described at a cost which home-owners generally can affond to pay.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fence Weaving machine of relatively simple and reliable design which securely joins a plurality of vertical side by side pickets to provide a fence section of rugged and durable construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which will operate with precision and speed to tightly wrap a relatively light wire around the curviline ar faces of the pickets and alternately twist or wind it in different Idirections around a relatively heavier wire backing the pickets.

Briefly the machine includes means for leading a heavy wire and a light Wire to a work table while imposing a tension on them keeping them relatively taut, means including a yoke to which the lighter wire is led and through which the heavier wire extends for separating the wires at the worktable, means for alternately revolving the yoke in opposite directions to wrap the lighter wire around the heavier Wire between the pickets, and means for advancing the fence sections and wires to provide a space for the next picket to be joined.

With the above and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that equivalent changes may be made in the various elements which comprise the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a front elevational View of a fence section which has been woven on my improved machine.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional plan view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of the machine showing pickets in position on the worktable at the front of the machine,

2,990,857 Patented July 4, 1961 FIGURE 4 is an end elevational View of the machine.

FIGURE 5 is Ia slightly enlarged transverse sectional View taken on the line y5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view taken on the line 6.6 of FIGURE 5 and showing the front end of one of the revolving yoke elements only.

FIGURE 7 is `a side elevational view illustrating means for moving the partially completed fence section forwardly after a picket has been Wired in place.

FIGURE 8 is a circuit diagram illustrating an electrical control system which could be employed to control the operation of the Various pressure fluid cylinders.

FIGURE 9 is a top plan -view illustrating ya member which is wired to a fence section to permit the separation of a fence section from the machine.

FIGURE l0 is a cross-sectional View through the latter member.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, attention is iirst directed to FIGURES l and 2 thereof in which I have shown a fence section F of the type that the machine to be described will fabricate. A numeral 10 generally indicates each of a plurality of pickets which are shown joined in side by side relation by vertically spaced wrapping wires 11 and backer wires 12. It will be noted that the curvilinear faces of the pickets 10 are irregular in configuration and may be of different size. The pickets are preferably formed by halving cedar poles or the like from which the bark has been shaved and when united in a fence section as shown provide fencing of rustic beauty which is also of sturdy construction. The backer wires 12 which extend linearly across the width of the fence section must be relatively stiif and are shown as approximately twice the gage or diameter of the wrapping wires 11. The manner in which the wires 11 embrace the curvilinear surfaces of the pickets and wrap around the wires 12 between the pickets is illustrated in FIGURE 2. The wires 111 are alternately wound in opposite directions about the wires 12 between the pickets and in the drawings I have used the numeral 13a to designate right hand loops (viewing the fence from its right end) and the numeral 13b to designate left hand or counterclockwisely Wound loops. Preferably three loops are formed in the wire between each pair of pickets as shown but more or less loops could, of course, be wound as will be seen.

The apparatus for fabricating the fence sections is illustrated in FIGURES 3 through 6 and includes a frame generally designated F which has supporting legs 14 and 15. The legs 14 aid in supporting a work table 16 which also has other legs supporting it as necessary. End rails 17 are supported by the legs 14 and 15 and a beam 18 spans the rear ends of the rails 17 as shown.

Iournaled rearwardly of the frame F on pipe sections 19 supported by standards 20 are revolvable upper supply reels 21 and lower supply reels 22 on which the wires 11 and 12 are respectively wound. Vertically extending brackets 23 supported on beam 18 have guide members or pulleys 24 revolvably mounted on pins 25 supported by the rollers, and, as seen in FIGURE 4, lugs 26 on the brackets 23 a spaced distance below the pulleys 24 have vertically movable rods 27 slidably received therein. Coil springs 28 on the rods 27 are in a state of compression and tend to urge the enlarged heads 27a of the rods upwardly into engagement with the wires 11 to press them against the pulleys 24 under which they lead. The arrangement described prevents the relatively flexible wires 11 from slacking ahead of the members 24 as will later become apparent. The relatively stiier wires 12 lead in a horizontal path from the reels 22 into tubular shafts 29 which are open at both ends and through which both wires 11 and 12 lead. Each shaft 29 accommodates one wire 11 and one wire 12 as shown in FIGURE 5. Spaced apart bearings 30 revolvably support the shafts 29 from a platform 31 at a level so that the wires 12 can be horizontal and it will be seen that the level of the work table 16 is also arranged to permit'the relatively stiff wires 12 to lead horizontally from their reels 22. Legs 32 mounted on end rails `17 support the platform 31.

Mounted fast on the front end of each shaft 29 is an angular plate-like extension 33 which has vertically spaced, grooved, guide sheaves or pulleys 34 and 35 provided thereon around which the wire 11 leading through the shaft 29 is trained. The angularly declining portion 33a of each end plate member 33 has a block 36 provided thereon with an inclined passage 37 therethrough through which the leading end of the wire 11 leads. l v

A bearing 38 and a bearing 39 are mounted on the platforms 31 at the sides of each shaft 29 to pivotally support a yoke or frame 40. Each frame 40 includes a rod 41 fast to its side frame members which has extending ends or trunnions received in the set of bearings 38 and 39. The frames or yokes 40 carry follower rollers 42 which ride on inclined cam surfaces 43a formed on rack bars 43 (FIGURE 4) and raise or lower the yokes 40 about their pivotal axes 41. Sets of slide bearings 44 on a cross rail 45, and 46 on the platform 31, support the racks 43 for reciprocation, and a fluid pressure cylinder 47 has a clevis 48 fixed on its piston rod 49 in which the eX- tended end 43b of one of the rack bars 43 is connected. The cylinder 47 is shown mounted on a platform 50 which is braced by bars 51.

The platform 31 is preferably grooved as at 52 to receive a longitudinally extending rack bar 53 which is provided to actuate the tubular shafts 29. A pinion 54 on the end of each shaft 29 is in mesh with the rack bar 53 and it will be observed that a iluid pressure cylinder 53 (at the top of FIGURE 3) has its piston rod 55a connected to the rack bar 53 to move it transversely in rst one direction and thence later in the other.

Each frame 40 has a depending guide member or fork 56 thereon provided with a V-shaped recess 57 to receive the wire 11 as it leads out of the passage 37. When the rack bars 43 are at their extreme rearward limits of travel as in FIGURE 3, the follower rollers 42 are near the lower ends of the cam surfaces 43a and the upper portion of the recess 57 is substantially on a level with the upper surface of the wrapping wire 11 which is partially embracing the innermost picket (FIGURE and leads horizontally therefrom. Springs 58 under tension connected to the crossbeam 45 and to each yoke 40 tend to urge the yoke frames 40 to pivot downwardly.

In FIGURE 7 I have shown one of the double acting pressure fluid cylinders 59 for moving the fence section F forwardly after a particular picket has been wired in place to provide space on the work table for another picket. The cylinders 59 (of which there are two or more) can be supported from a beam 60 and may have their piston rods 61 connected to bell crank levers 62 as shown. The levers 6-2 have shoes 63 thereon for engaging and moving the fence section and can be intermediately supported at 64 or a beam 65.

For the purpose of convenience of illustration of the operation of the machine itwill be assumed that picket a in FIGURE 5 has just been wired by the wrapping wires 11 to the backer wires 12 and the yokes 40 have returned to raised position. A picket 10b has been slid endwise into position under the wires 11 after the partially completed fence section has been moved forwardly to provide a place on the rear end of the worktable 16 for the next picket 10b to be wired in place.

With the apparatus in the position in which it is shown in FIGURE 5 the conventional solenoid valve operated cylinder 47 drives the rack bars 43 forwardly and the springs 58 bring the yokes 40 downwardly, as the cam surfaces 43a permit, to the position in which they are shown in FIGURE 4. When the wire guide members 56 on the yokes 40 which hold the wires 11 move downwardly, the wires 11 are stretched tightly across the curvilinear surface of picket 10b and the members 56 receive the hacker wires 12 below wires 11. rIhe guide members 56 press wires 11 down tightly into engagement with wires 12 and because the wires are of circular cross section the wires 11 tend to dispose themselves on one side or the other of wires 12 (see FIGURE 6).

When the members or forks 56 move down, the wires 11 are pulled forwardly and additional wire 11 is pulled from the reels 21 since plates 33 on the shafts 29 do not move. The piston 55a in cylinder 55 then moves rack 53 forwardly to turn shafts 29 in a clockwise direction as viewed toward the front in FIGURE 3 and the wires 11 wrap around the wires 12 two or three times dependent on the distance rack bar 53 moves. In the instant case the wires 11 loop around three times. Once each wire 11 has wrapped under its backer wire 12 While the first loop is being made, the need for forks 56 to remain in position is eliminated and the rack bar 43 secured to the ram rod of cylinder 47 is retracted immediately to lift yokes 40. This permits the rst loop to be formed up against the side of the picket 10b without interference from the forks 56 and insures that the pickets will be tightly bound by the wires 11 without slack caused by the wire wrapping outward of the forks which are withdrawn. With the wires 11 wrapped around backer wires 12 and yokes 40 raised during the wrapping operation, the cylinders 59 are actuated to pivot levers 62 and push the fence section forwardly sulliciently to provide a place for insertion of a new picket manually or otherwise. When the fence section is moved forwardly by shoes 63 both wires 11 and wires 12 are drawn forwardly and additional lengths of wires 11 and 12 are pulled from reels 21 and 22. The ramrods 61 of the cylinders 59 are, of course, immediately retracted so that the next picket can be fed into position and the operation repeated. When the operation is repeated, rack 53 will be moved in the opposite direction so that the wires 11 will wind around wires 12 in the opposite direction.

The cylinders may, of course, be either pneumatic or hydraulic double acting cylinders of conventional design with built in solenoid operated valves for admitting fluid to both ends of the cylinder alternately and bleeding olf fluid from opposite ends thereof. In FIGURE 8 I have illustrated a typical electrical control circuit which could be employed to control the operation of the various cylinders. A starter push button 66 can be pressed to energize an electromagnetic relay 67 having contacts 67 in circuit line b which is connected to solenoid 68 in cylinder 47. The ram rod of cylinder 47 is immediately forced forwardly to move racks 43 forwardly and permit springs 58 to pull the yokes 40 downwardly. At the end of its forward stroke one of the racks 43 temporarily closes a normally open limit switch 69 in circuit line f which energizes a conventional alternating electromagnetic relay R. The relay R alternately energizes electromagnetic relay 70 in circuit line g and relay 70a in circuit line f. Assuming contacts 70 in circuit line g are first closed, the solenoid 71 in cylinder 55 is energized and piston rod 55a is moved outwardly. This, of course, revolves shafts 29 through rack 53 and pinions 54. The rack 43 also temporarily trips a normally closed limit switch 72 in circuit b which breaks the relay contacts 67a at the time limit switch 69 is energized. The closing of limit switch 69 also closes an electromagnetic time delay relay 73 in circuit line f having contacts 74 in circuit line a which, after a split second allowing for the wires 11 yto wind once under wires 12, closes to energize `the solenoid 75 in ram cylinder 47 and retract piston rod 49 so that forks 56 lift immediately. Normally closed limit switch 74a is temporarily opened by the return of ram 47 and breaks the contacts of relay 74.

When ram 53 is fully extended, it opens 'normally closed limit switch 76 which breaks relay 70. When ram 53 has just about reached the outward limit of itsl travel a lug 77 carried on it momentarily closes and then passes by a normally open microswitch 78which closes a relay 79 in circuit line d to .energize solenoids 80 and move rams 61 in cylinders 59 downwardly to push the fence section ahead. At the lower limit of its travel one piston rod 61 opens normally closed limit switch 81 to break contacts 79 and closes normally open limit switch 82 which energizesV and closes electromagnetic relay 83 in circuit line c. vThe circuit line c is then closed and solenoids `84 immediately returns rams 61. Upon their return one of'the rams 61 trips normally closed limit switch 85 to break relay 83. After` insertion of apicket in frontjof the fence section, start button 66 can be pressed to energize the system again. When rack bars 43 `move forwardly alternating relay R is again energized but this time relay 70a in circuit line e is closed, and solenoid 85a-is energized so that the ram 55a is retracted. The shafts 29 turn in the opposite direction from which they previously revolved and wind the wires 11 opposite around backer wires 12. Otherwise the operation of the apparatus is the same except that normally closed limit "switch 86 is opened by the return of rain 53 and breaks 'relay 70a.' Microswitch 78 is of `a At`y`p'e lwhich will notV be opened on return of rack 53.

It is to be emphasized that the electrical system illustrated is only exemplary of a` system which could be used. lf desired the system could be entirely automatic or cylinders S9 could be eliminated and the fence section pulled forwardly by hand.

In FIGS. 9 and l()` I have shown a member 87 having openings 88 in the upper and lower surfaces thereof which could be grooves or a through slot as desired. When the required number of pickets to form a fence section of predetermined length have been joined together in Ithe manner indicated the member 87 is wired in place in the same manner. Thence the iirst picket of the next fence section is wired to the member 87 in the same way by the machine. At this point the backer wires 12 and wrapping wires 11 can be cut by inserting one blade of a shearing tool into the openings 88. The first fence section and member 88 are thus removed and the first picket of the next section to be formed remains on the work table with the backer and wrapping wires leading from the picket to their supply reels 22 and 21 respectively. The cut ends of the wires can be trimmed off later, of course.

It should be apparent that I have perfected fence making apparatus of greatly improved design which will prove extremely practical for manufacturing fencing of the type described in large quantities at low cost.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descrip tive matter are in all cases to be interpreted `as merely illustrative of' the principles of the invention rather than as limiting the same in any way since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in the various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for wiring generally semi-cylindrical fence pickets in side by side relation; means for supplying a backer wire and a wrapping wire; a worktable for supporting pickets which have been wired together by said wires in side by side relation with the backer wire spanning their at faces and the wrapping wire spanning their curvilinear faces and being wound around the backer wire between the pickets; said worktable also supporting a picket to be joined to said other pickets, between said other pickets and Wire supply means, such that said wires extend across the faces of said picket to be joined; a revolvable yoke interposed between said worktable and said supply means through which the backer and wrapping wires lead; means on said yoke v6 adjacent the picket to be joined for separating the wrapping wire-from the backer wire to offset the wrapping wire from the axis of the yoke; movable guide means on said yoke between said separating means and the picket to be joined for engaging said wrapping wire and conforming it to the configuration of the curvilinear face of said picket to be joined; and means connected to said yoke for revolving said yoke to wrap said wrapper wire around the backer wire and join said picket to beV joined to the other pickets.

2. The combination defined inclaim 1 in which said yoke comprises a hollow tube through which both the backer and wrapping wires lead; a plate onthe end of said tube adjacent the picket to be joined; a pair of guide sheaves on the plate around whichthe wrapping wire is lead, and a nozzle on the corresponding end of the plate through which the wrapping wire is led from said sheaves; said nozzle being olset axially from the tube.

3. The combination defined in claim l in which a pinion is provided on said yoke; a rack transverse to the yoke in mesh with the pinion; and a fluid pressure actuated cylinder connected to said rack for actuating the rack.

4. In a machine for successively wiring generallyA semicylindrical fence pickets in side by side relation to previ ously wired pickets; a work table for supporting said pickets; means for supplying a relatively heavy backer wire and a relatively lighter wrapper wire in sets at spaced apart intervals relative to the length of the pickets, each backer wire of said sets spanning the ilat faces' of said pickets and each wrapping wire of said sets spanning the curvilinear faces of said pickets and being wound around the associated backer wire several times between the pickets; revolvable yoke members interposed between said work table and said supply means for guiding said sets of wires from said supply means to the endmost picket of said previously wired pickets; means on said yoke members for leading said backer wires axially and separating said wrapper wires axially from the backer wires at the ends of the yoke members adjacent the fence section to permit a picket to be joined to the fence section to be inserted between the wires leading from the fence section, fork members movably mounted on said yoke members operable to press said wrapper wires back to the backer wires at the outer edge of said picket to be joined; means for actuating said fork mem bers; and means connected to said yoke members operable to revolve them several Atimes in a particular direction to wind said wrapper wires around said backer wires and thereby connect said picket to be joined to the fence section.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 in which said backer wires lead through said yoke members at the level at which the worktable supports the flat faces of said pickets.

6. The combination defined in claim 4 in which each fork member comprises a frame with a depending member having convergent faces arranged in one position of the fork member to receive and hold a wrapper wire at a level corresponding with the uppermost surface of the pickets; and means for maintaining the fork member in said position.

7. The combination defined in claim 4 in which each fork member is mounted on a pivotally supported frame, and reciprocatory cam means in enga-gement with each frame for moving said fork member in sequence with said yoke members.

8. The combination defined in claim 4 in which said yoke members operate in timed relation with said fork members and their action is initiated by said fork members.

9. In a machine for successively wiring generally semicylindrical fence pickets in side by side relation to previously wired pickets; a work table for supporting said pickets; means for supplying a relatively heavy backer wire and a relatively lighter wrapper wire' in `sets at spaced apart intervals relative to the length ofthe pick-V ets, each backer wire of said sets spanning the atvfaces of said pickets and each wrapper wire of said sets `spanning the curvilinear faces of said pickets, and'wound around the backer wires several times betweenthe pickets; revolvable yoke members guiding said ysets of wires from said supply means to the endmost picket wired to the fence section; support means for said yoke" members; a plate on each yoke member having guide sheaves thereon leading the wrapper wire in each set away from the backer wire thereof; a guide nozzle on each plate through which each wrapper wire is directed; said sheaves and nozzle separating each wrapper wire from a backer wire to permit a picket to be joined to said fence section to be inserted between the wires leading from the fence section; generally U-shaped frame members with the legs thereof pivotal in avertical plane on saidy support means on each side of a yoke member, andthe body of each disposed forward of the yoke membersbe-` tween the said nozzle and the picket which is to be joinedy to said fence section, fork members depending from said forward portion of the frame members above each set of wires, follower rollers on said frame member; cams rising in a vertical plane engaged by said rollers; rack means for moving said cams in one' direction to permit said frame members to lower and said fork members to bring said wrapper wires down to the backer wires adjacent the outer side edge of the picket to be joined; a uid pressure cylinder moving said rack means and holding said cams in position; means urging said frame members downwardly, a second rack means actuated 8 when said fork members are down to revolve said yoke members and wind the wrapper wires around their adjacentbacker wires; a second fluid pressure cylinder actuating said second rack means; and means actuating said rst cylinder for returning said first rack means to original position.

10. The combination defined in claim 9 in which automatic control means actuates said cylinders and Withdraws said rst rack means prior to completion of the revolution of said yoke members; and automatic control means revolves said yoke members alternately in opposite directions. f

11. The combination dened in claim 9 in which automatically actuated means is provided for moving said fence section forwardly after each picket is joined thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 248,399 Bull Oct. 18, 1881 352,678 Deering Nov. 16, 1886 479,487 Cadwell July 26, 1892 524,612 Salzman Aug. 14, 1894 616,884 Branson Jan. 3,1899 655,307 Reid Aug. 7, 1900 725,989 Pratt Apr. 21, 1903 1,121,497 Hansen Dec. 15, 1914 1,172,466 'Land Feb. 22, 1916 1,709,465 Denning Apr. 16, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS 9,851 Great Britain June 15, 1905 20,748 Denmark Nov. 4, 1915 

